The word so far

A mellifluous spoken word performer, Shagufta constantly draws in her audience with her strong and innate sense of theatricality. Quietly, richly and inventively delivered, her work nevertheless can be a coruscating indictment on the modern world. Her sense of outrage, bemusement and wonder is laid bare as she deftly and nimbly explores gender and identity through her poetry.She is one of the most talked about performers in the region – with good reason - evicting her poetry from behind the microphone and the book and moving it into naturalistic, everyday world that cuts deeply against the words she speaks-Sharon ClarkLiterary Producer,Bristol Old Vic﻿

Shagufta Iqbal is emerging as a very talented and passionate artist with a rare blend of professionalism. She is full of new and creative ideas and has so much to offer to the contemporary arts scene in the UK. Definitely one to watch out and highly recommended! -Jaswinder Singh Director, Asian Arts Agency

Shagufta was one of my most promising students. Since leaving university she has been tirelessly working for the cause of poetry. Her writing is fresh and honest and she is dedicated to her craft.- Lucy English Novelist and Poet

"Commencing proceedings, Shagufta Iqbal delivered a number of pieces that drew upon on her rural Punjabi heritage and her religious identity, in which she challenged where her place in the present should stand and explored where she can shape the future path for herself and others. Also confronting subjects such as sexual harassment, gentrification and gender equality, her set was crafted with purpose. Captivatingly intense in it’s content and seemingly disruptive to many of society's default narratives, Shagufta's voice proved a thought-provoking start to the evening, with many present likely to be keeping an eye open for her future development within the scene."For full review click link to The Speakers Corner

Bristol's emerging star, Shagufta Iqbal, left the audience speechless with her opening performance, a rich tapestry of Indian language and powerful insights into what it means to be Muslim in today's Great Britain.Bristol Evening Post

"We’re in the middle of Mayfest and the Bristol Old Vic is still beautifully decorated with an archway of cascading flowers and other Ophelia-friendly accents. The monthly spoken word night, BlahBlahBlah has been moved from its usual tiny home in the Basement to the bigger Studio, the same space recently used for their phenomenal Blah’s Big Weekend events which included, amongst other treats, a stripped back and intimate Kate Tempest set.Tonight BlahBlahBlah has gone for two women poets, Shagufta Iqbal and Indigo Williams, along with Chris Redmond, the host of Tongue Fu at this same venue a few weeks back."